Marketing is defined as the process of getting people closer to making the decision to purchase a product or service. Or for that matter to use, follow, refer, to become complacent to a person's, society's or organizations's values. Or in another simple definition, if a sale it's not facilitated then it is not marketing.
People have needs for products or services, and marketing theory and practice is justified by that belief. Before marketing research was first introduced companies were pushing products on the market regardless of the needs of the market. Market research enables companies to have their products focus on the customers needs and then create the product or service to cover those needs.

There are independent marketing specialists, that are called marketing consultants, and they are contracted by companies to advise on different marketing areas such as marketing strategy planning and management, the research of the market and other marketing matters.
The marketing strategy is the foundation of the marketing plan. The marketing plan includes a list of actions that are specific and required for a successful implementation of the marketing strategy. A simple example of a marketing strategy would be like this: to attract customers you use a low cost product. By selling this low cost product you create a relationship with the consumers of that product.

From now on the company will introduce new higher-margin products that will improve the use of the low-cost product developed before.
Marketing research, referred to as consumer research too, is the form in which you research your business. Market research is applied sociology, in a form, that concentrates on behavior understanding and preferences of the possible consumer in the market based economy.
A marketing specialized company can help you achieve a marketing strategy that will help your business soar. Marketing consultants have the tips, tools and knowledge to take your business forward.